How to Cope with the Boredom of Alzheimer’s

Guest Author - Debbie Mandel

Generally, Alzheimer’s patients are well-cared for physically. However, since the disease erodes brain function, caregivers might not fully realize that they need to stimulate their patients mentally and emotionally to promote feel-good moods. When Alzheimer’s patients are bored, they will find something to occupy the time. They will engage in behavior patterns that are described by geriatric psychiatrists as problematic. These include wandering out of the house, shouting, crying, pacing back and forth like a caged animal and removing their clothes.

With this in mind we need to be prepared with daily positive, fun and motivating activities; otherwise the patient tends to get entangled in worrying. Everyone needs to feel like a contributing adult. When an Alzheimer’s patient is involved in an activity, he or she will feel happier and less stressed and so the caregiver’s load becomes lighter.

Here are some suggestions to restore dignity and good humor for both caregiver and patient: